May 12, 2015

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the worlds largest business federation representing the
interests of more than three million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state
and local chambers and industry associations, and dedicated to promoting, protecting, and
defending Americas free enterprise system, urges you to support H.R. 1732, the Regulatory
Integrity Protection Act. This legislation would require the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) to withdraw their proposed definition of
Waters of the United States (WOTUS) and conduct significant additional work with states, local
governments, and other interested stakeholders before re-proposing a new definition.
Without this legislation, the EPA and COE will finalize the proposed rule, which is
expected to affect a wide variety of permitting requirements, definitions, and Clean Water Act
programs. The Chamber believes EPAs proposed rule as written represents an unjustified
expansion of Clean Water Act jurisdiction far beyond the limits of federal regulation explicitly
established by Congress and affirmed by the courts. Moreover, the agencies have not adequately
addressed the significant chilling effect its proposed definition would have on numerous land
uses, or the fact that it would undermine and complicate state and local regulatory programs.
Because this rule could ultimately slow or bring to a complete halt numerous projects, major and
minor, across the nation, it would impact a significant portion of the U.S. economy.
For these reasons, it is critical that EPA withdraw its proposed rule; undertake additional
meaningful consultation with states, local governments, and interested stakeholders; and revise
the proposed definition in accordance with consensus-based recommendations. The Regulatory
Integrity Protection Act would accomplish all of these things.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce strongly supports H.R. 1732, a bipartisan measure that
would ensure the EPA and COE adequately engage with stakeholders and conduct a lawful
rulemaking process before finalizing any new WOTUS definition. The Chamber urges you to
support H.R. 1732 and may consider votes on, or in relation to, this bill in our annual How
They Voted scorecard.
Sincerely,

R. Bruce Josten